how to setup an exchange server?

[mattdaddyz]

hello all.. i've been assigned to a project at work to do some research on how to install, setup, and configure and exchange server. i'm wondering if anyone has done this and would give me some advice on the specifics. our company is running NT4 SP6a, we have the hardware specs to run it. does exchange run on a separate server or is it merely a program that would run on our admin server? what are the advantages to running it? is exchange 2000 better than 5.5? thanks for any help anyone might have, it will be much appreciated.